Family trip to Italy - Part 1

We decided to join business and pleasure for a trip to Italy.  Campbell had some meetings and we paired it with a family car trip.  It was our first long trip with the kids in a car and we all survived.  Archie watched his first movie, Toy Story, many many times.  

Our first stop was in Switzerland.  We drove the first day to Lake Geneva where we stayed at a small city.  It was HOT.  So while Campbell worked, we spent the day playing in the sun and having a picnic.  Archie loved a fountain and didn't care about any of the lovely scenery around us.  I think if I were born in Switzerland, there would be no reason to ever leave.  It is such a beautiful place everywhere!

Our next leg of the trip had us driving through the Alps into Italy.  It was a beautiful drive and we saw some amazing scenery.  The alps were stunning and the small quaint villages were what you would imagine.  We were also impressed by the many tunnels we drove through that were bored through the mountains....they have a lot of money in Switzerland!

Our next stop was Cremona, Italy.  We spent a couple nights and days there while Campbell worked.  It was 100 degrees F (38 C)!  So hot.  Luckily we had AC in the hotel.  The kids and I just spend the days walking around and enjoying the mideval and renaissance city. 

Who knew the highlight for Archie would be the 1 euro duck ride in the park.  He was giggling so hard I thought he would fall off!  He was in heaven.

Coffee, again, before we left.

Next stop, Tuscany!  We stayed in a small, tiny hilltop town in San Appiano.  We could see San Gimaniano from our apartment and many other small towns strewn among the hills and wine vineyards.  Our apartment was in a large family home that they converted to holiday apartments.  It was in the vineyards and olive groves.

Sunset view

Morning view

Archie's favorite part of the trip: getting a Woody doll.  He spent 15 minutes having a conversation with him.  We think he thought Woody would really talk to him like the movie.  He asks about Woody everyday.

Florence: hot, full of tourists, busy.  It hasn't changed since the last time either of us were there.  We spent the day walking around enjoying being in the city.  It was a little too hot to enjoy....100F (38C), but we did our best.  We made sure to have coffee and gelato!

Next day we went to Sienna.  In this picture Archie can be seen in the distance chasing the birdies (as he calls it).  He found pigeons everywhere to chase and was so happy.  It was quite entertaining for us and many other tourists.

Post pigeon chase: binky and stroller time.

 More pigeon chasing.

Another hot and tired moment in Siena for Archie.  He was almost asleep here which is too bad because shortly after this we had gelato.  Sylvie was in heaven!

 

Goodbye Siena!

Next stop San Gimignano.  It is a small hilltop town known for its history of towers.  Today there are 14 but there used to be 70.  It was a way for families to show importance and wealth and one-up one another.  It is really small but a nice place to visit.  We spent a nice morning there with the kids.

I would post more but this is a long one and I am off to bed.  So another post tomorrow with the final leg of our trip, another spin home through Switzerland. Cioa!